Welcome Aboard! A Handbook for Members of the Department of Georgia Marine Corps League Revision Date: 17 May 2012 1 of 44 WHAT IS THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE? The League is the only Federally Chartered, Marine Corps related veterans organization in the country. The League was organized by then-Commandant John A. LeJeune in 1923. In 1937, Congress nationally chartered the League. It is a not-for-profit organization within the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service Code 501(c) (4), with a special group exemption letter which allows for contributions to the Marine Corps League, its Auxiliary and subsidiary units, to be tax deductible by the donor. The League is presided over by an elected Commandant and officers, with a full- time Executive Director and staff located in Virginia. The League's Objectives: Among the purposes for which the Marine Corps League was founded are: To preserve the traditions and to promote the interests of the United States Marine Corps; To band those who are now serving in the Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service together in fellowship that they may effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy; To fit its members for duties of citizenship and to encourage them to serve as ably as citizens as they have served the Nation under arms; To hold sacred the history and memory of the Page 2 of 44 veterans who have given their lives to the Nation; To foster love for the principles which they have supported by blood and valor since the founding of the Republic; To maintain true allegiance to American institutions; To create a bond of comradeship between those in the service and those who have returned to civilian life; To aid voluntarily and to render assistance to all Marines and FMF Corpsmen and former Marines and FMF Corpsmen as well as to their spouses, orphans, and parents; To perpetuate the history of the U.S. Marine Corps and, by fitting acts, to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines. We also try to assist, wherever possible, the active and reserve establishments in order to let them devote more of their time and attention to the preparation for duties in the national interest. Regardless of the rank a member may have held while on active or reserve duty, all members of the League are considered to be of equal rank – that of “United States Marine”. Membership Categories There are 3 classes of detachment members: Regular Member: Anyone who is serving or has served at least 90 days in the Marine Corps or 3 of 44 Marine Corps Reserve, or as a US Navy Corpsman with the FMF for 90 or more days, and received an Honorable Discharge. Dues are set by the detachment and include Department and National Dues per year, unless you elect to become a Life Member. Life Membership is payable on a one time basis and covers all dues. The amount depends upon the age of the member. Associate Member: One who has reached enlistment age, does not qualify to be a Regular Member, but espouses the principles and purposes of the MCL. Dues are the same as for Members. Associate Members may not vote on membership, election of officers nor hold elective office. Associate Members may also become Life Members. Honorary Member: One who has been of extraordinary service to the Nation, Community, Marine Corps, or Marine Corps League. A member may join more than one Detachment, becoming a Dual Member , and may hold office in more than one Detachment, but will only have one vote in National MCL business and elections. The Organization's Levels The Marine Corps League is a national organization of over 75,000 members and, like the Marine Corps, there are levels of the organization that enable smaller unit leadership. The levels that are set forth in the Bylaws Page 4 of 44 and Administrative Procedures of the League are: National - U.S., plus overseas members Division - Ten regional groupings of Depart ments. Georgia is in the Southeast Division. Department - The state level organization. Your Detachment is in the Department of Georgia. District - Due to Georgia's large area, there are groupings of Detachments in Districts to facilitate training, communications and sharing of ideas. Detachment - The “local” level unit. The Detachment of which you are a member may organize into smaller units. This will depend upon the unit, its size, geographical dispersion, and the desires of the Detachment's elected officers to best communicate with and serve its members. BYLAWS Although the League is a military veterans' organi- zation, it is democratically run. The League operates under a set of National Bylaws and Administrative Procedures (APs) that establish how the League is organized and operates. The National Bylaws and APs may be amended by majority vote of the represented members. The amendment process is open to all members, following the procedure set forth in the bylaws themselves. The National Bylaws and APs have precedence over all Department and Detachment 5 of 44 Bylaws and APs. The Department also has its own Bylaws and APs. Your Detachment probably has its own Bylaws. The National and Department Bylaws and APs are posted on their respective websites. The League is a non-political body. As such, the League and members identifying themselves as members of the League MUST NOT support or appear to support political candidates or parties. This includes the wearing of MCL uniforms at political events. Every member, however, is encouraged to participate in the American political process as an individual. THE DETACHMENT Detachment Meetings Detachment meetings are conducted in accordance with the MCL Ritual Manual. Doing so means that your attendance at the meeting of any Detachment will be familiar. The conduct of meetings shall be governed by the League Bylaws and Administrative Procedures. The current Roberts Rules of Order will also be used. However, the Bylaws and APs will have precedence over Roberts Rules of Order. In Detachment meetings, there is to be NO discussion of politics or religion. If such a discussion begins, the Commandant or Sergeant-at-Arms will immediately call for it to cease. Page 6 of 44 Regardless of the rank held in military service, that rank will not be used or referred to within League meetings or functions. Every Regular Member in the Marine Corps League has earned the rank of “Marine”, and that is rank enough. Detachment Officers The Detachment has two classes of officers, Elected and Appointed. Elected Officers can serve up to two consecutive one-year terms in office unless the Detachment Bylaws provide differently. Appointed Officers serve at the pleasure of the Commandant and Board of Trustees. All Appointed Officers should tender their resignation at the end of their term. They may be reappointed, and there are no term limits for Appointed Officers. The officers and their duties are: Elected Commandant - Presides at all Detachment meetings, serves as advisor to all committees and is in direct charge of all functions of the Detachment. Sr. Vice Commandant - Assists the Commandant and acts in his/her behalf during the absence or illness of the Commandant. Jr. Vice Commandant (s) - Assumes the responsibilities of the Commandant or the Sr. Vice Commandant if either or both are not available. Acts as Membership Chairman and is responsible for the 7 of 44 growth of the Detachment. Judge Advocate - Interprets the By-Laws of the Detachment, Department, and National Marine Corps League. Also ensures that meetings are run in accordance with the Bylaws and Robert's Rules of Order. Appointed Adjutant - Keeps a complete record of all meetings, typewritten or neatly by hand, in a ledger or log. Keeps records of membership and handles all transmittals. Keeps necessary Corporate Minutes to satisfy state legal requirements. Paymaster - Serves as Treasurer of the Detachment and keeps an accurate record of all receipts and disbursements of the Detachment. Also prepares and files the required tax returns and corporate registration and renewal with the state. Chaplain - Informs the membership of any member or member’s family that is ill or in distress and visits same, if possible, or asks other members to do so. Maintains a prayer list of members and family in sickness or distress. Reports the death of any member to the Detachment, Department, and National on the appropriate form. Sergeant-at-Arms - Responsible for setting up the premises for all meetings. Shall preserve order at all meetings and perform such other duties as are Page 8 of 44 required by the Commandant. Junior Past Commandant - This officer is the immediate past Commandant and serves to provide guidance and counsel to the Detachment Commandant and other officers. Such other Appointed Officers or committee chairs as the Commandant may desire. These may include such positions as Veterans’ Service Officer, Historian, Newsletter Editor, Color Guard Commander, Toys for Tots Chairman, Youth Programs Chairman, Ships Store Chairman, Public Relations/Information Officer, etc. Committees Detachments may have several committees that would welcome your participation. Ad hoc committees may be an Audit Committee, a Nominating Committee, a Marine Corps Birthday Celebration Committee, and a Toys for Tots Committee. There is also a need for members to help in a myriad of activities that may be one-time affairs, such as hosting a Department convention, restoring historical artifacts, or on-going activities, such as the preparation of the monthly newsletter, setting up for meetings, etc. Detachment Communications Communications up, down, and across a Detachment are essential to keeping members involved and to accomplish the mission of the League. Your 9 of 44 Detachment may have a newsletter, either via email or USPS, a website, a Facebook page, etc.